Other articles by Alexis Huicochea:

Cold Case : Daughter still hoping police will someday find her mother's killer City police widen use of e-citations Cold Cases Single-vehicle accident near I-10 and Ina clearedTucsonan killed near Benson was driving wrong way on I-10Golder Ranch fire station fire due to electrical problemBuena High School theft lands woman in prison Arivaca home-invasion reports released Off-duty TPD officer kills man who pulled gun on himReports: Suspect had prior dispute with Arivaca home invasion victim

General
A1 Communications
Cable Techs Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION

A former Pima County sheriff's deputy accused of lying during an internal-affairs investigation involving stolen department weapons is now under scrutiny by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training board.

Deputy Jesse A. Huggins, a 20-year veteran, resigned from the agency in December 2006 amid allegations that he tipped off co-workers — who later admitted to stealing and selling department weapons and accessories — to an internal investigation, according to a document from the board.

Huggins initially had nothing to do with the case, but one of the men told internal-affairs investigators that Huggins contacted him and told him that he was going to be called in and asked about "missing guns," the document says.

Huggins told the man he got his information from a "buddy on the inside," it says.

The following day, authorities called Huggins in to address what they had been told. When asked if the allegations were true, Huggins said he did have contact with the subjects of the investigation but denied discussing that with them, the document says.

A day later, Huggins said in a follow-up interview that he had a "moment of clarity" and admitted to discussing the investigation with the men.

When asked why he lied, Huggins responded, "Let's just say it was a lapse in judgment," the document says.

He said he thought the man was his friend and he was trying to protect him by giving him some information in the event that something was coming his way, according to the document. Huggins said he also contacted the other man involved and told him essentially the same thing.

Huggins went on to say he did not have a source on the inside and that his information was purely office gossip or briefing-room talk. He submitted his resignation effective Dec. 1, 2006.

The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training board can suspend or revoke a person's peace-officer certification, preventing him or her from working as an officer in Arizona.